Can-opener.



PATBNTD .TUNE 18.. 1907.

R. T. STBVBNSON.

5 GAN OPENER. APPLIUATION FILED FEB. 2B. 1906.

1 l' j. n; A

'gn-vento@ OF AUROlJ-i, ILLINOIS.

CAN-OPENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 18, 1907'.

Application tiled February 28. 1906. SF11lN0- 303,539.

To all whom, 1115 mln/tl] concern/.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT soN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Aurora, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to sentially two complemental members pivoted together so as to form a pair of cutting jaws and a pair of handles.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this character in which the aws are peculiarly constructed so as to mutually cooperate with each other to prevent any slipping of the material being operated upon and also to produce a straight cut in which the edges are smooth and bent uniformly outward.

Afurther object is to design the tool so that the cutting blade can be readily removed should it become necessary to sharpen or replace the same.

For a full description of the invention and the nierits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction ol' the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the followingr description and accompanying drawings, in which:`

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the can opener, showin g the jaws in a closed position Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, the jaws being in an open position; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the jaws, thev handles being broken away.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the saine reference characters.

The can opener nerein described is formed essentially of two complementa] members which are pivoted together at an intermediate point to form the handles 1 and 2 and the cutting jaws 3 and 4. For this purpose the forward end of the handle 2 is bent inwardly at 5 and pivoted within a recess formed in a similarly inward projecting portion upon the handle 1. It will be observed that the forward portion of the handle 2 is somewhat reduced in cross section and is provided with a transverse groove or depression within which the rear end of the cutting blade 3 is adapted to fit. This cutting blade 3 is held in position by means of the pin 6 which also pivot? same. This cutting improvements 1n can openers of that type which comprise esl l i i I' .I

ally connects the two members. The engaging face of the jaw or cutting head 4 has a llat formation and is provided with a series of transversely disposed teeth or serrations 7 which. engage with the surface being operated upon to prevent any slipping of the head 4 is formed with a longitudinal slot 8 within which the cutting blade 3 operates. This construction causes both edges of the cut to be bent uniformly outward and prevents the formation of a ragged edge'which is very undesirable. A guide flange 9 is located at one side of the cutting head 4 and is adapted to engage with the top or side of the can in order to produce a straight cut. It will also be observed that the cutting blade 3 has a peculiar formation inasmuch as the cutting edge 10 is formed with a depression 11 toward the rear end thereof. This construction has the advantage of tending to draw the metal into the jaws of the tool instead of forcing it away as is the case with the scissor can opener. Attention may also be directed to the fact that the forward end of the cutting head 4 is bent outwardly and that the slot 8 terminates a short distance from the end thereof. construction prevents the weakening of the tool which would necessarily result if the slot 8 extended throughout the entire length of the jaw.

Each ol' the handles 1 and 2 is provided with an inwardly projecting lug to engage with the coil spring 12 which operates to normally force the jaws apart. A link 13 is also provided to lock the handles together and this .link is pivoted to an eye 14 upon the handle 2 and is adapted to engage with a hook 15 upon the handle 1 for the purpose specified. Outwardly projecting finger pieces 16 and 17 are also formed in connection with the handles and cooperate with the outwardly bent and enlarged ends 18 of the handles l and 2 to enable a sec-ure grip to be obtained thereon. In the preferred construction ole the tool, the handles preferably comprise an outer flange 19 as shown in the drawings, and an inner web 20 at approximately right angles to the fiange. This con struction gives the handles an extremely light. and strong formation without necessitating the eniployment ol' a large amount of metal.

In the operation ol the device, the tool is designed to out around the side of the can and for this purpose the flange 9 is preferably lIO placed in Contact with the top ol the can. '.lhis serves as a guide and enables a straight eut to be formed.

Having thus d eseribed the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A can opener, comprising two compleinental members, a pin connecting said members together, one of said members extending forwardly of the pivot and constituting a head, and the other member being formed at the pivot point with a (,lepression and terminating substantially at said pivot point, and a cutting blade which is an element distinct from the member with the depression,

said cut-ting blade being located at its rear end in said depression and having the pivot pin extending therethrough, said blade being thereby secured in place by the same pin which pivotally connects said members together.

2. A can o vener, comprising two complemental members pivotally Connected together, one ol said members terminating substantially at the pivot point and the other extending integrally in advance of the pivot point and constituting a cutting head, said head being longitudinally slotted for a portion only of its length and provided on both sides of its slot with transverse serrations and at one edge with a depending liange 9, the other member being provided at the pivot with a depression in alinement with the slot of the head, and a cutting blade secured in said depression and adapted to Work in said slot, the pivot pin passing through the said blade and constituting a means for securing it in place as well as the means for pivotally connecting the two members together.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence ol two witnesses.

ROBERT r. srEvErsoN. [n s] Vitnesses:

JOHN L. DICKERS, JOHN C. MURPHY. 

